Big South Tournament Preview 2021
3MW’s All Conference Team:
Player of the Year: Chandler Vaudrin, R Sr., Winthrop
Coach of the Year: Pat Kelsey, Winthrop
Newcomer of the Year: Adonis Arms, R Jr., Winthrop
Freshman of the Year: Fah’Mir Ali, Fr., Radford
Season Storylines:
The story of the Big South this season was Winthrop. Pat Kelsey’s squad completely dominated the league from start to finish, as most preseason prognosticators predicted. A close loss to UNC Asheville prevented the Eagles from running the table, and because of that it’s unlikely an at-large berth is in play. Asheville itself had a solid year, but an injury to star guard DeVon Baker held the Bulldogs back from a run to the top.
Freshmen also showed out across the conference. Radford’s surprising run near the top of the league was led by freshman guard Fah’Mir Ali, Presbyterian first-year Rayshon Harrison was one of the BSC’s leading scorers, and Longwood’s Justin Hill was a prime reason the Lancers hung tough in the middle (aside from Griff Aldrich being a literal wizard).
Radford enjoyed the largest jump from preseason rankings to final rankings, proving Mike Jones is one of the premier coaches and team builders in the Big South. Four straight conference losses to end the regular season, however, have the Highlanders limping into the tournament.
Gardner-Webb finished second in the league in KenPom’s rankings and have the talent to make a Cinderella run in the tournament as an under-seeded 6-seed. Led by another super-frosh in D’Maurian Williams and an All-League senior in Jaheam Cornwall, the Runnin’ Bulldogs are playing their best basketball of the season right now.
Charleston Southern wins “Most Disappointing Team” award, but the Bucs had a slew of injury issues, too many for even the great Phlandrous Fleming to overcome. Chuck South also won’t be able to play in the conference tournament due to COVID.
Tournament Preview
Tournament Predictions
(8) High Point over (9) USC Upstate
(10) Presbyterian over (7) Hampton
(1) Winthrop over (8) High Point
(4) UNC Asheville over (5) Longwood
(2) Radford over (10) Presbyterian
(6) Gardner-Webb over (3) Campbell
(1) Winthrop over (4) UNC Asheville
(6) Gardner-Webb over (2) Radford
(1) Winthrop over (6) Gardner-Webb